Reuters A test launch by North Korea of a Hwasong 18 missile in May
NOS News•today, 08:45•Edited today, 09:49
North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile today. The missile covered a distance of about 1,000 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers in 74 minutes before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to Japanese chief of cabinet Hirokazu Matsuno, it is the longest flight time ever for a North Korean missile.
According to experts, it is a ballistic Hwasong 18 missile that is still under development. South Korea and Japan have condemned the launch.
‘International Solidarity’
The launch comes as the heads of government of South Korea and Japan are in Lithuania for the NATO summit. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called an emergency National Security Council meeting to discuss the launch. He said he would use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to face such threats.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also in Lithuania, has called on his staff to collect information and remain alert to prepare for any unforeseen events.
Kishida and Yoon are expected to meet today. Matsuno said a summit is also planned with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. “We will respond in close cooperation with the international community,” Matsuno said at a news conference.
The launch comes days after North Korea threatened retaliation for US spy planes allegedly invading its skies. The country threatened to shoot down those planes. Washington denied the allegations and said the military patrols are in accordance with international law.
Correspondent Garrie van Pinxteren:
North Korea says the launch is in response to US aircraft invading airspace, something the US denies. But it also has to do with North Korea feeling increasingly boxed in the region by the US , Japan and South Korea It is therefore also a call for attention from the US, with which they want to talk again.
The North Koreans also want to show that they have difficulty with the NATO summit that is now underway, where Japan and South Korea are also present. In addition, there is a strong domestic motive: with the launch they want to indicate that the threat from outside is very strong. This also legitimizes the large amounts of money that go to the weapons programs.”
North Korea’s long-range missile program aims to reach the US mainland. In addition, the country also has short-range nuclear-capable missiles designed to hit South Korea and Japan, both key US allies in the region.
Since 2017, North Korea has conducted a slew of intercontinental ballistic missile launches. Before today’s launch, the country last launched a long-range missile in April. That was the first test with the Hwasong 18.
2023-07-12 06:45:52
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